My Christmas Eve viewing for this year consisted of Frank Capra's holiday favourite 'It's A Wonderful Life (1946),' preceded by 'Mr. Krueger's Christmas (1980).' The latter was clearly a very personal project for James Stewart, who had pretty much retired from acting by the close of the 1970s. In the film, which runs for 25 minutes, a lonely widower (Stewart) tries to share his Christmas spirit, but finds this difficult in a dingy underground apartment with no company. After imagining several dreamy sequences of holiday-themed harmony – including an affecting visit to baby Jesus in his barnyard manger – Mr. Krueger befriends a group of Christmas carolers, in particular a bright-eyed young girl (Kamee Aliessa) who represents everything that is pure and joyful about Christmas.
'Mr. Krueger's Christmas' was produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and unfortunately the film does end with the sour note of religious propaganda. Interrupting what might have been a touching moment of Christmas goodwill, a random voice-over interjects with "I love you. That's what Christmas is all about... Clarissa said it to Mr. Krueger; Mr. Krueger said it to Jesus; and Jesus in so many ways said it to all of us." Leave it to a religious institution to state the obvious. Luckily, James Stewart's incredibly-heartfelt performance manages to elevate the film above these syrupy foundations. Had the role of Mr. Krueger been in any other actor's hands, there'd be very little to recommend. However, behind Stewart's eyes, there lies the subtle mingling of love, sadness and joy, and an astonishing conviction in his film's message.
'Mr. Krueger's Christmas' was produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and unfortunately the film does end with the sour note of religious propaganda. Interrupting what might have been a touching moment of Christmas goodwill, a random voice-over interjects with "I love you. That's what Christmas is all about... Clarissa said it to Mr. Krueger; Mr. Krueger said it to Jesus; and Jesus in so many ways said it to all of us." Leave it to a religious institution to state the obvious. Luckily, James Stewart's incredibly-heartfelt performance manages to elevate the film above these syrupy foundations. Had the role of Mr. Krueger been in any other actor's hands, there'd be very little to recommend. However, behind Stewart's eyes, there lies the subtle mingling of love, sadness and joy, and an astonishing conviction in his film's message.